…despite ‘bad news’
Following last Sunday’s airplane crash involving an Ethiopian (ET) Airlines Boeing 737-Max 8, government has assured that the country would still continue in its partnership with ET in setting-up the home-based Ghanaian carrier.
This indication was given by the Minister for Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda, during a press briefing following the recent development, on Tuesday in Accra.
In December last year, the government sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ET towards the establishment of a home-based carrier, which would eventually see ET with 49 percent shareholding in the Airline, if no other investor approaches.
Affirming government’s position, the Minister said, “we as a country still intend to have our partnership arrangement with them, and we hope to come up with some understanding in terms of the shareholders agreement, which would pave the way for us to operationalize the airline business.”
The shareholders agreement is expected to be finalized latest by the beginning of the April 2019.
Adda noted that a decision has not yet been taken as to the particular aircrafts to be used for the long distance routes.
To this end a team of inspectors would soon visit the manufacturing facilities of both Airbus and Boeing in order to help decide on the best aircraft for the impending new airline to use.
He assured that once the shareholders agreement is finalized, the board for the Airline would be formed to commence the operations of the Airline.
Ethiopian Airline’s 747-Max 8
The latest statement form Ghana’s Ministry of Aviation on the continuation of its relationship with ET has come about in the wake of the ET flight which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ethiopia’s capital on Sunday morning, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board. People from more than 30 nationalities were among the dead, including at least eight Americans although the majority were Kenyans.
The Boeing 737-8 MAX plane, which is currently the primary suspect behind the crash was new and had been delivered to the airline in November.
According to the Airline, the pilot of Flight ET 302 sent out a distress call and was given clearance to return.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
